Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy from Coursera

We are surrounded by so much discussion of sustainability that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Important questions include: What role can business have in ensuring the sustainability of the planet? How should business work with society to preserve the environment? These questions will be answered in this course as we explore the meaning of sustainability and its impact on modern organisations as they move to circular ideas to reduce waste, increase recycling and become fit for our modern society. In the course you will not only learn about the role of business in sustainability, but also your own personal contribution.

In addition to environmental issues we will also reflect on how employees are pressuring firms to see themselves as a positive part of the wider society. The specific topics we will cover include: Paris Climate Accord, Carbon Footprint, the circular economy, reverse logistics, recycling strategies, right to repair, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bottom of the Pyramid and developing economies, and fair trade business models. By the end of the course, your understanding of sustainability and business's relationship with society will have increased considerably. You will develop new skills in research and analysis and will have lots of new ideas to take away with you and apply in your own organisation and your own working life.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Sustainability and the circular economy

This week includes: outlining the structure of the course, exploring the nature of sustainability, assessing your own green credentials, discussing the future of business in a circular economy.

Week 2: Recycling and reverse logistics

This week includes: discussing the circular economy, explaining reverse logistics, defining recycling, introducing Green Legislation.

Week 3: Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

This week includes: developing an understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR), measuring CSR, introducing the concept of the bottom of the pyramid, discussing Fairtrade.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities businesses face in meeting sustainability goals through a circular economy

Focuses on real-world examples and practical strategies for implementing sustainability practices

Teaches key principles of sustainability and their implications for modern businesses

Suitable for professionals in various industries seeking to advance their understanding of sustainability

Provides insights into the latest trends and challenges related to sustainability

Engages learners through a combination of readings, videos, and interactive exercises

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy with these activities:

Review Material from Past Sustainability Coursework

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Having a refreshed memory of this topic before the course will increase your likelihood of following along with the material.

Browse courses on Sustainability

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Retrieve past coursework.
Spend 30 minutes reviewing notes from previous coursework.
Take practice quizzes or problems from previous coursework.

Organize Course Materials

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Organize your materials to make studying and reviewing easier and more efficient.

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Gather all of the course materials, such as notes, handouts, and assignments.
Create a system for organizing the materials, such as using folders, binders, or digital storage.

Discussion Forum

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Get the opportunity to try teaching this material to others and have others teach the material to you.

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Post a question or comment in a discussion forum.
Respond to a question or comment that someone else posted.

Four other activities

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Watch Documentaries or Videos on Sustainability Practices

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Visual aids can help you retained information and better understand complex topics.

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Search for documentaries or videos online that cover sustainability topics.
Watch the documentaries or videos.

Create Mind Map

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Analyze and structure the information learned in this course by creating a mind map.

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Think of the main topic and write it down in the center of a piece of paper.
Draw branches off the main topic that represent the key concepts of the material.
Use sub-branches to represent the supporting details of each key concept.
Review your mind map and make sure that it is organized and easy to read.

Community Cleanup or Sustainability Event

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Get hands-on experience through community involvement.

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Find a local community cleanup or sustainability event.
Sign up to volunteer for the event.
Attend the event and participate in the cleanup or sustainability activities.

Sustainability Scenario Analysis

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Complete practice problems or scenarios to improve your understanding of course material.

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Find real-world case studies or scenarios related to sustainability.
Analyze the case studies or scenarios and identify the key sustainability issues.
Develop and evaluate potential solutions to the sustainability issues.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers work closely with the operations and production teams at companies to develop and implement sustainability initiatives. Those in this role must be able to assess a company's environmental impact so that they can create data-driven strategies for reducing waste, emissions, and energy usage. This course will help you develop the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed in this role, as it will introduce you to the concept of sustainability and teach you how companies can adopt circular economy models to reduce waste and increase recycling. The course will also cover relevant topics like reverse logistics, CSR, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants work with companies to help them comply with environmental regulations, reduce their environmental impact, and improve their sustainability performance. This course will be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and recycling strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to assess a company's sustainability performance. They work with various stakeholders, including management, employees, and customers, to develop and implement sustainability initiatives. This course will be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop the analytical skills necessary to succeed in this role. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and recycling strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

CSR Manager

CSR Managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. They work with various stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the community, to create programs that align with the company's values and goals. This course may be helpful for those interested in this career path, as it will introduce you to the concept of CSR and teach you how to measure CSR. The course will also cover relevant topics like the bottom of the pyramid and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for CSR Manager

ESG Analyst

ESG Analysts are responsible for analyzing companies' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. They work with various stakeholders, including investors, companies, and NGOs, to provide insights on ESG-related risks and opportunities. This course will be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst

Circular Economy Consultant

Circular Economy Consultants work with companies to help them transition to a circular economy model. They work with various stakeholders, including management, employees, and customers, to develop and implement circular economy initiatives. This course will be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the circular economy and the role that businesses can play in transitioning to a circular economy. The course will also cover relevant topics like reverse logistics, recycling strategies, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Consultant

Sustainability Advisor

Sustainability Advisors provide advice to companies on how to improve their sustainability performance. They work with various stakeholders, including management, employees, and customers, to develop and implement sustainability initiatives. This course will be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

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Product Sustainability Manager

Product Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives for products. They work with various stakeholders, including product development, marketing, and supply chain, to create products that are sustainable throughout their lifecycle. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and recycling strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Sustainability Manager

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and develop solutions to environmental problems. They work with various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and NGOs, to develop and implement environmental policies and regulations. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan the development of cities and towns. They work with various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and community groups, to create sustainable and livable communities. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Sustainability Engineer

Sustainability Engineers design and develop sustainable products and processes. They work with various stakeholders, including product development, manufacturing, and supply chain, to create products and processes that are sustainable throughout their lifecycle. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and recycling strategies.

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Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law and represent clients in environmental litigation and regulatory matters. They work with various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and NGOs, to ensure that environmental laws and regulations are enforced. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

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Renewable Energy Project Developer

Renewable Energy Project Developers develop and implement renewable energy projects. They work with various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and community groups, to create sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

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Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators teach about sustainability and environmental issues. They work with various stakeholders, including schools, universities, and community groups, to raise awareness about sustainability and inspire people to take action. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

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Environmental Journalist

Environmental Journalists report on environmental issues and help raise awareness about the importance of sustainability. They work with various stakeholders, including newspapers, magazines, and websites, to inform the public about environmental issues and inspire people to take action. This course may be useful for those interested in this career path, as it will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability and the role that businesses can play in ensuring the sustainability of the planet. The course will also cover relevant topics like the Paris Climate Accord, carbon footprint, and fair trade business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Journalist